Particulate and co2 reduction system for commercial/residential devices that generate thermal energy

ABSTRACT

This describes the novel use of a naturally occurring material known as volcanic rock, as a particulate and CO 2  reduction system. The material is used within the combustion chamber of devices that utilize solid fuel for energy generation.

I, Alex L. Johnson, claim priority on Provisional Patent Application No.61/687,933. PPA filing date May 4, 2012.

BACKGROUND

This describes the novel use of volcanic rock within any device thatutilizes solid fuel materials for combustion for the purpose of energygeneration such as boilers, incinerators, and residential or commercialwood heating apparatuses. This rock can withstand temperatures above2000 degrees for extended periods without loss of integrity. Thevolcanic rock acts as a gas permeable insulating agent and can bemanufactured into a multitude of sizes and shapes to conform to anyspecific application and apparatus specifications. Additionally, lavarocks such as those used in gas grills may be purchased from any homeimprovement store inexpensively for use in residential combustiondevices. It has been found that volcanic rock, when used within thecombustion chamber where no visible conduit exists for exhaust gases topass from combustion chamber to the exhaust outlet, restricts emissionof exhaust gases to atmosphere.

Within the combustion chamber, this embodiment works in such a manner asto confine the energy that normally exits the exhaust port of combustiondevices and is lost to atmosphere. The embodiment also filters theparticulate matter that may be suspended within the combustion chamberprior to exiting the device to atmosphere. When particulate matteradheres to the volcanic rock, it spends more time inside the device tofurther reduce the particulate size, at this point the particulate hasbeen reduced to ash and is pushed away by the energy that is beingcaptured and stored by the volcanic rock. It has been suggested that thesurfaces of the volcanic rock get clogged. When volcanic rocks are cold,particulates do stick to the surface of the material. The adhesion ofparticulate matter to the filter in the early stages of device start upaids in faster start up with less fuel waste.

The volcanic rock may be thought of as a naturally occurring catalyticmatter. This material can be obtained from volcanic regions on earth,and manufactured into structures of any shape or size. Such structuresmay be used to promote thermal oxidation of gases, in addition toreduction of particulates and CO₂ entering the atmosphere.

In relation to the acquiring of prior art for references, here are a fewthat utilize volcanic rock. U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,157b1 is a method thatexploits the use of volcanic rock by placing them within tanks, where aseries of “water vapor spray jets” scatters water over the rocks, as away to cool the exhaust gases and confine the particulate matter withinthe condenser tanks. These tanks are post incineration process and arein multiplicity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,483 exploits the use of volcanicrock as a heat storage device for implementation in traditional“Brazier” heaters were liquid fuel is used. U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,245exploits the use of volcanic rock within a device that is positioned“within the duct work of currently used home heating systems”. U.S. Pat.No. 4,121,563 exploits the use of volcanic rock within the combustionchamber of liquid fuel-fired furnaces as a manner of heat storage. Thepatent states, “by placing them in spaced relation to each other”. U.S.Pat. No. 4,328,785 exploits the use of volcanic rock, as a “Heat Sink”for use in fireplaces. The abstract states, “ A fireplace grate havingan upstanding frame supporting a basket a distance above the grate,without blocking the fireplace chimney, with the basket formingperforate reservoir filled with lumps of porous lava rock”. The heat isreleased after the fire is out. U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,097 exploits the useof volcanic rock as an absorbent material within an indoor grill.

All previous uses of volcanic rock have not exploited the ability ofthis material to endure the high temperatures within the combustionchamber of energy generation devices as a means to filter particulatematter, and reduce the amount of particulates and CO₂ being expelled tothe atmosphere. The exploitation of this embodiment within devices thatutilize solid fuel sources for electrical generation, such as coal firedboilers and waste-to-energy boilers will reduce the excessive waste offossil fuels. These fuels are being consumed at an alarming rate tosupply the world's needs, albeit inefficiently. The burning of fossilfuels produces CO₂ and water vapor. When these two molecules enter theearth's atmosphere they have a symbiotic relationship. This leads to thetrapping of solar energy within the atmosphere resulting in highertemperatures on earth.

SUMMARY

Volcanic rock is a natural material that is formed under extremepressures and temperatures within the earth's core that has thecapability to withstand extreme heat without deformation of saidmaterial. Said material is placed within the combustion chamber (a)above the fire, or (b) in any manner so as to restrict the flow of gasesand particulates from the combustion chamber to the exhaust port of anyand all boilers, incinerators, and residential or commercial woodheating apparatuses. Said material can be manufactured into a multitudeof sizes and shapes to conform to application and apparatusspecifications. When used inside combustion devices and covering theexhaust exiting portion, this material acts as a filter for combustiongases and for capturing particulate matter. Additionally, said materialcaptures and stores heat resulting in higher efficiency ratings. Thisnovel use of a well-known material will inherently lower fuel needs forcurrent boiler, incinerator and wood stove technologies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Front facing view of a traditional wood stove used for heatingpurposes.

FIG. 2: Orthogonal view of a square slab of volcanic rock.

FIG. 3: Orthogonal view of a cylindrical slab of volcanic rock.

FIG. 4: Cross-sectional view of a diversity of conduits for gaseoustransmission through slabs of volcanic rock.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 comprises a traditional wood stove used for heating purposes. 1is the point in which exhaust gases from combustion exit the combustiondevice to atmosphere and the point at which the chimney attaches to thecombustion device. 2 shows the random placement of volcanic rock withinthe combustion chamber restricting the flow of exhaust gases to theatmosphere. The volcanic rocks are placed so as to fill in the areaabove the fire, leaving space above the volcanic rocks so the gases canescape freely from this point. 3 shows the body of the stove. 4 is thehandle for the fuel loading door. 5 shows the fuel loading door. 6 showsthe handle for the ash removal door. 7 shows the legs that elevate thedevice off the surface on which it's rests. 8 shows the ash removaldoor. 9 shows the hinges for both the ash removal and fuel loading doorsof the device. 10 shows the perforated steel tray that suspends thevolcanic rock material above the fire so as to let the gases flowthrough the screen.

FIG. 2 shows an orthogonal view of a rectangular shaped slab of volcanicrock. 2 is the slab of volcanic rock. 1 shows the conduits wherebyexhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and pass through saidslab to the exhaust port of device.

FIG. 3 shows an orthogonal view of a cylindrical shaped slab of volcanicrock. 2 is the slab of volcanic rock. 1 shows the conduits wherebyexhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and pass through saidslab to the exhaust port of device.

FIG. 4 shows cross-sectional views of a slab of volcanic rockillustrating a variety of possible conduit configurations. The view isdivided into three sections with dashed lines depicting the separationpoint between FIG. 4A, 4B, and 4C. 1 illustrates the volcanic rock slabwhich the conduits transition through. The dashed arrows illustrate theflow of exhaust gases through volcanic rock slab. FIG. 4A illustrates adiagonal conduit system through which exhaust gases flow from thecombustion chamber and pass through said slab to the exhaust port ofdevice. The conduit placement should be such that a significant mass ofvolcanic rock exists between conduits and the periphery of volcanic rockslab. FIG. 4B illustrates a vertical conduit system through which theexhaust gases flow from the combustion chamber and pass through saidslab to the exhaust port of device. The conduit placement should be suchthat a significant mass of volcanic rock exists between conduits and theperiphery of volcanic rock slab.

FIG. 4C illustrates a branched conduit system through which the exhaustgases flow from the combustion chamber and pass through said slab to theexhaust port of device. The conduit placement should be such that asignificant mass of volcanic rock exists between conduits and theperiphery of volcanic rock slab.

What is claimed is:
 1. The novel exploitation of volcanic rock materialmanufactured into (a) customizable structures in a variety of sizes andshapes; for example, tiles, slabs, or spheres and (b) with or without amultiplicity of conduits to channel emissions within high temperatureenvironments.
 2. The novel placement of volcanic rock in any form withinthe combustion chamber of solid fuel combustion devices such as boilers,incinerators, and residential or commercial wood heating apparatuses.The volcanic rock material is placed within the combustion chamber (a)above the fire, or (b) in any manner so as to restrict the flow of gasesand particulates from the combustion chamber to the exhaust port of thedevice.